No More Complaining, by Jeremy Newlin

      As my departure from Brazil nears, I am doing the countdown on the state-wide meetings I will be attending. Just went to my next to the last. I feel like Paul, trying to think of all the right things to say before I go. We talked about what God has done to bring salvation to the world and how our lives should be different from that of those who are not in Christ.
      Each congregation gave a presentation of their growth in numbers and maturity, through such activities as visitation, campaigns, retreats, classes, and weekend seminars. While each congregation spoke the others were listening for opportunities to serve through visits, calls or other ways that they believe would help in what is already being done.
      We ended our time together studying God's Word about the subject of grace and being filled with the Spirit. We read Ephesians 5:17-21 and discussed how being filled with the Spirit is very practical and not mystical. We decided to focus on one aspect of being filled with the Spirit which we read in verse 20 "always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father." Think with me, if you are always giving thanks for all things then one thing you are not doing is complaining. Together we challenged each other to not complain for 21 days and to discuss what we discovered about ourselves and our relationship with God.
      Please pray: that all of those at the meeting will truly commit to not complaining, that we may learn to have more self-control, and that God may be glorified through this process.

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For the Kids, Part III

In the USA, there are two special days during the year that children love: birthday and Christmas. Brazil adds one more: Children's Day. On this day, children receive a present and since it coincides with Our Lady of Appeared Conception, Brazil's patron saint, it is also a national holiday. Each week we get kids from the Castelo Branco neighborhood together at the square in front of Dona Terezinha's house to talk about Jesus. For Children's Day, we invited the parents to watch the kids perform a play of the "Prodigal Son," then each kid receives his or her fill of cotton candy, cake, and a sack full of goodies. The parents who came received a Today's Portuguese New Testament and an invitation to the weekly Bible study at Terezinha's. Lori Hagewood has organized this activity for three year with the help from Terezinha, Joseph, and Michel (from the China Taiwan restaurant). Michael, Ashton, and Tif...

Pedro's New Family

Good Christian parents are invaluable in bringing about children’s faith, but in the absence of such, the younger generation must take up Christ’s banner and follow for themselves. Pedro and João have been coming to our church meetings for a long time. Their parents, though, haven’t even visited, showing no interest whatsoever, except for an internet search to make sure their kids weren’t getting into anything crazy. This past Sunday Pedro gave his life to Christ and was baptized into a new family. I admire young people who break with family tradition for the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Let our Lord be praised through the dedication and sacrifices that young people make.

The Planting, the Watering, and the Increase

Emesson started coming to Bible Club over a year ago, when Neil Schultz and Cait Beckloff, our AIM team, were teaching it. For several months, they planted the seed in his and his sister's hearts. Unfortunately Neil and Cait's time in João Pessoa ended. In 2014 Bible Club received a boon when Erick and Jenny Paddy, former AIMers, returned to the field and picked up teaching the Bible Study for English speakers. They watered the sprouting seed in Emesson's life until God's Word became more important for him than just practicing his English. Last Wednesday night, God gave the increase, adding Emesson to the Family of Christ. Sometimes things don't happen when we think they should, but God is in control; His time is best, and we must thank Him for playing a small part in His plan.

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